Reminder! Register now for our free learning series in February, developed for funders and civil society, in partnership with London Funders, to share 15 years of insights from delivering Big Local. 🔗https://bit.ly/3Ngd9pX [1 /2]

“The community built PEACH, and we had a voice. So once we had a voice, they stood up and they listened.” With over a decade of organising with the community of Custom House and Canning Town, we’re pleased to share this film from The People's Empowerment Alliance for Custom House (PEACH).

Some exciting news to start the year! We’re thrilled that three individuals from Big Local Areas have been awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s New Years Honors, recognising the incredible impact they’ve had on their local communities.

📢 Local Trust will be closed for the Christmas break from 24 December 2025, reopening and resuming normal operations on 2 January 2026. Wishing you a restful festive season and a very happy New Year! We’ve got some big announcements coming in 2026, so stay tuned!

It’s been a fantastic year for Local Trust. As we enter the final months of Big Local, ahead of our planned closure in early 2027, we’re more focused than ever on championing community-led change and sharing what we’ve learnt. Read our CEO Rachel Rowney’s reflections on the year: bit.ly/45gViFp

As we move closer to the end of the Big Local programme, we’re excited to be partnering with @londonfunders.bsky.social to launch Big Local Unpacked – a new learning series for funders and civil society organisations in London. [1/3]

A year of shaping place-based policy🌟 We've had a fantastic year for policy advocacy. Over the past 12 months, we've published 12 reports alongside a number of partners – building a compelling evidence base for long-term, community-led investment in places. Explore them all: bit.ly/4qe0JNp

“Social capital has a unique quality, unlike other forms of capital – when you spend it, you generate more of it.” Today we welcome the publication of a Working Paper from @kinship.works that distills what we've learned about the practice of community-led renewal through Big Local. More below 👇

As 2025 comes to a close, our CEO Rachel Rowney reflects on what Local Trust has delivered, sharing key milestones from the year. Read her reflections👇 bit.ly/4j84yBB

As winter sets in, temperatures drop and energy bills continue to rise. Community buildings are often at the heart of local connection, especially during colder months. Making them energy-efficient can reduce bills, improve comfort and create more sustainable spaces. [1/2]

Voices of Big Local – 2025 #Wrapped 🎁 We've continued to highlight the people, places and partnerships driving community-led change across England through Big Local. Each story reflects the power of trusting local residents and the value of long-term, flexible funding: https://bit.ly/48GcaXe

Congratulations to @locality.org.uk on being chosen as a partner for The Guardian’s Charity Appeal 2025! In line with this year’s theme, Locality works with communities to foster connections and strengthen local leadership, helping to tackle loneliness, division, and hate. Support them here 👇

Does a person’s social capital influence their likelihood of breaking the law? In the final report of our social capital series with @demos-uk.bsky.social and 3ni, Mags Lesiak and Adam Coutts examine the evidence on the links between social capital, crime and anti-social behaviour. [1/2]

Today, on #InternationalVolunteersDay, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers who have shaped the Big Local programme over the past 15 years. None of what Big Local has achieved would've been possible without their commitment & the time they have given to make change happen. Thank you!

Ahead of International Volunteers Day, we are celebrating volunteers everywhere who give their time and skills to make their communities better places to live. We asked Local Trust staff a simple question - why do you think volunteering is so important? Here is what they told us. 👇

Volunteering sits at the heart of resident-led change. With an estimated 6,500 volunteers involved in activities and services funded through Big Local, the breadth of community-led action taking place across the programme is apparent. [1/2]

Ahead of #InternationalVolunteersDay this Friday, we’re celebrating the volunteers whose compassion and determination have transformed lives and communities. One such example comes from Northwood Together Big Local. [1/3]

At the All Together Now conference, we spoke to people deeply involved in place-based work, from community practitioners to those shaping programmes and research. 🎥🎥Watch their reflections on what it takes to strengthen communities & support neighbourhood renewal. youtu.be/70rGkPpaG_s

Over a decade of delivering Big Local. What have we really learnt? In this article, our policy & parliamentary manager Tilly Steward shares four crucial lessons about community power in practice. We hope it offers a helpful starting point for future discussion on community-led change: bit.ly/4oj8Kzm

As Big Local approaches its close in March 2026, we’re reflecting on the moments and insights that will define its legacy. In our new video series, residents, workers, and partners reflect on what they’ve built, what they’ve learnt, and the legacy of the programme. Watch now: bit.ly/3KbERDi

In this edition of our newsletter: 📖How investing in social capital builds cohesive communities ✏️Expert insights from our latest conference and on the 2025 Autumn Budget 💡A guide to finding & securing funding for your community 🤝 Lessons from 10+ years of resident-led change 🔗 bit.ly/48pWesa

In our latest guest article, Professor Sarah Pearson, Director @c4research.bsky.social and Dean of Research Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at Sheffield Hallam University, shares reflections on the recent All Together Now conference: bit.ly/3LYPHgj

Empowering young people starts here 🌱 Our community action plan provides practical advice to help young people lead in decision-making. It also features tips from youth volunteers at Heston West Big Local and other examples of successful youth engagement: bit.ly/49s9Tkt

🎉Two weeks ago, Toynbee Hall was buzzing with ideas, energy & conversation at the All Together Now conference. We had the opportunity to speak with community practitioners and researchers who shared their thoughts on what it really takes to build stronger, more connected communities - take a look!

“If I was to sum up Big Local in a few words, it would have to be local change making a national difference.” With less than five months to go to the end of the Big Local programme, our video series not only looks back at what has been achieved, but also celebrates what will continue beyond. [1/2]

Is the budget just another ‘fiscal event’ that can’t give us what we need? As the much-anticipated Autumn budget approaches, our head of policy and communications @maddiejennings.bsky.social reflects on what it can – or can’t – do for disadvantaged neighbourhoods. 🔗 bit.ly/4p7vaEs

In 2010, Par Bay Big Local was established to support three Cornish villages that were facing tough challenges: the decline of local industry, high unemployment, and weakened community connections. Today, their story is one of transformation and pride. [1/2]

Strengthening social capital isn’t just good for society – it’s smart economics. This year, we released our Social Capital 2025 series with @demos-uk.bsky.social and 3ni, which explored one of the most important factors in explaining economic growth & health in societies: social capital. [1/2]

Social capital is back on the policy agenda 🎯 The Government’s emerging neighbourhoods policy provides an opportunity to rebuild social capital, particularly in areas where community activity and local infrastructure are most lacking. But what will it take to turn ideas into action? [1/2]

“I’ve developed as a person, a community leader—something I never envisioned myself being.” For 15 years, Big Local has been transforming communities & empowering residents to lead change in the places they live. In our latest film, residents & partners share how this has shaped who they are today.👇

Last month, the UK Government launched its new Pride in Place strategy - a £5 billion plan supporting 330+ communities with historic new powers for local people to shape where they live. It’s an ambitious vision - but what will it take to turn ambition into impact? 1/3

On Wednesday, we hosted the All Together Now conference in collaboration with our friends at @localtrust.org.uk and @theyoungfdn.bsky.social . the day was full of insightful conversations and important connections! ✨ #alltogethernow #communityconnectedness #c4

✨ It was great to hear so many inspiring voices at the All Together Now Conference on Wednesday! Local Trust’s Tash Meldrum & Millie Dessent led a session on building connected communities, with Taz Virdee from Heston West Big Local sharing how they’ve brought people together. 💚 [1/2]

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Toynbee Hall for the All Together Now conference! It was inspiring to be part of conversations around community connection from so many perspectives. We’ll be reflecting on what we’ve learned and sharing highlights from the day soon, so stay tuned.

What does it really take to build stronger, more connected communities? We’re answering this question today at the All Together Now conference🚀 The conference marks the introduction of @c4research.bsky.social & will explore how to strengthen social infrastructure that helps communities thrive. [1/2]

💡“Investment at the neighbourhood level creates the foundation of local social capital, which in turn supports the growth of community connectedness.” Building social capital & investing in areas where community activity is most lacking creates the spaces & networks that facilitate cohesion. [1/2]

📢 "Cohesion policy should unlock the community-based organisations that offer connection, a shared identity & a broader focus on community life" Our latest policy spotlight outlines how social capital builds more connected communities & must be rooted in the future of cohesion policy: bit.ly/4qI3Iic

To the northeast of Wolverhampton sit two distinct estates - the Scotlands and Bushbury Hill. Divided by a road, as well as a period of history and mistrust, they’re now finding common ground thanks to the remarkable pink ladies - volunteers at the Big Venture Centre. [1/2]

For 15 years, residents in Big Local areas have worked together to create lasting change. Now, with less than six months to go before the programme comes to an end, we’re sharing the stories, reflections and achievements of the people who made it all happen. [1/2]

Our paper ‘Bridging the divide’, released with 3ni, explores how strengthening social capital at the neighbourhood level can boost social mobility. But what are the different types of social capital ,and how do they connect to social mobility? https://bit.ly/3JxBXrX

We each belong to a community, but why do some thrive while others struggle? Next week, we’re exploring these questions at the All Together Now conference with @c4research.bsky.social and @theyoungfdn.bsky.social. [1/2]

Get ready for the Locality Convention - the biggest community sector event of the year! We’re pleased to share that C-Change West London (the legacy organisation of Heston West Big Local) has been shortlisted for the ‘Transforming Lives Award,’ to be announced at the convention. Get your tickets 👇

It’s been one month since the Community Wealth Fund announcement🎉 The government’s decision to target England’s most doubly disadvantaged neighbourhoods marks a major milestone for the Community Wealth Fund Alliance (CWFA), for which Local Trust has served as a founding member and secretariat. [1/2]

Is your community ready for climate change? 🌍 Last week, the UK’s Climate Change Committee warned that Britain must urgently prepare for global warming of at least 2°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050. [1/2]

"Creating better places is about so much more than physical buildings" In our latest article, our CEO Rachel Rowney explores how social capital is the foundation for lasting change, and why true renewal depends on strong partnerships between government and civil society. 🔗 bit.ly/3IYNYqp

🤝 How do our communities shape the outcomes of our lives? Our latest paper, ‘Bridging the Divide: The Hidden Power of Social Capital to Drive Social Mobility’, examines the role of social capital in supporting social mobility across the UK. 🔗 bit.ly/3WO79pR [1/3]

When people feel powerless, they start looking for answers elsewhere. We're pleased to share @right-here.org's new film that argues that the solution to ‘Broken Britain’ can be found in every neighbourhood across the country - watch how. 🔗Read the story behind the film: bit.ly/4nl0sGS

In the 1980s, Thurnscoe faced high unemployment and challenges in health, education, and community cohesion after the local mine closed. In 2010, Big Local funding helped the village begin its transformation. Derek Bramham, long-term chair, reflects on their regeneration: https://bit.ly/46YDUqu

That’s a wrap on the 2025 party conference season! 🎉 It’s been an eventful few weeks for us, with activities and engagements at party conferences across the country. In our latest blog, Tilly Steward, our policy and parliamentary manager, shares three key takeaways: http://bit.ly/42LqU4X

Our Bigger Story is a multimedia evaluation of Big Local. In this report, ‘Understanding success in Big Local’, researchers evaluated the performance of 15 Big Local areas against four outcomes. [1/2]